Some explanations

regarding the current tensions in Beit Shemesh could be found in this article, about the New Israel Fund
Again, I don't disregard the existence of the phenomenon and the problems. But, let's introduce nuances and avoid generalizations of any kinds. And various brainwashings.

Love is the opposite of hate

Love is the opposite of hate

“Do you hear what they say in the heavenly academy? That to love your fellow Jew means to love the completely wicked just as you love the completely righteous”.

Chassidic master Rabbi DovBer, the Maggid of Mezeritch

Beit Shemesh and Us

I am watching for a couple of months the various (re)textualization of the story from Beit Shemesh. From time to time, the narrative is developped with added accounts: about the separate streets on Sukkot, the bus segragation - a story outlined also in Brooklyn by a local publication - some "burqa ladies" and men spitting on women and women spitting on men. 

Neglecting or avoiding on purpose the future electoral campaigns (in Israel and the US), journalists, politicians and pundits are vehemently condemning the situation. People mostly overexposed rather to to media and social media bombardment than to the serious learning - not always their fault - are condemning the "Iranization". The "haredim" are portrayed as a group of dangerous people starting a religious war. At the end of the day, "we" too can be like "them" and please, with such an image, you can't claim that you can be better than the "Muslims" or the "ayatollah". I don't believe in conspiration, but I am not so naive to chew all the pieces of this campaign, started at least in two places and with enough money behind to save from starvation 2-3 families for a year.

Hanukka is over now. Each day, a new light was added, a new promise of hope. The holiday reached its end we have one year to keep our lights on. Long time ago, I was considering this one of the holidays when I should learn to hope more about miracles and wonders. Now, I realized that, in fact, we need to be happy with our lot and enjoy our simple good deeds and avoid doing bad - to us and the others around us. I don't believe in "Jewish extremism", but in the dangers of eating non-sense and starting to believe that, in fact, we are as bad as they expect us to be. If we'll spend more time learning and seeing the other as our partner of discussion, our chevruta, it will be easier to live the miracle of Hanukka every minute of our days. In a way, we recognize it or not openly, we all are fighting to do our part of tikkun olam. We, we are trying to do this.  

Related articles

• 'Spitter' Released, Banned from Beit Shemesh (israelnationalnews.com)
• Rally set in Beit Shemesh to protest exclusion of women (jta.org)
• Ultra-Orthodox Jews ask Israeli media to help 'rid them of extremists' - Haaretz (haaretz.com)
• In Beit Shemesh, Religious War Escalates [Video] (inquisitr.com)
• Thousands Support Girl Harassed by Extremists (foxnews.com)
• Peres urges Israelis to mobilise to thwart zealots - Reuters India (in.reuters.com)
• Move to segregate women leads to violence in Israel (smh.com.au)

Middle Eastern Refugees and Manipulation/Lies

In October 1948, the Economist published the following eye-witness account regarding the situation in the state of Israel concerning the issue of the Arab population:

"During the subsequent days, the Jewish authorities...urged all Arabs to remain in Haifa and guaranteed their protection and security...Various factors influenced their decision to seek safety in flight...far the most potent of these factors was the announcement made over the air by the Arab Higher Committee urging all Arabs in Haifa to quit. The reason given was that upon the final withdrawal of the British, the combined armies of the Arab States would invade Palestine and drive the Jews into the sea. It was clearly intimated that those Arabs who remained in Haifa and accepted Jewish protection would be regarded as renegades".

Orthodox Child Sex Abuse Details Revealed: Report – Forward.com

Report – Forward.com

Whoever they are and their denominations, the situation is terrible and characterizes not exclusively Brooklyn. Think about the huge number of people arrested this time - 90!

Very sad.

Back to the basis

I watched the so-called controversial ads of the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption shortly after the release and I was sadly amused. I didn't find nothing wrong or misleading. Maybe to real for being gulped with pleasure - mostly for those who self-imposed the acculturation and dreamed for assimilation 0 and too much harsh Israeli humor.

It is true that America was a safe heaven for persecuted Jews from Europe when the State of Israel didn't exist, but as we can find in the dedicated literature and studies on the issue, the price was assimilation. True is also that America remains a golden destination for many Israelis - thus, the US warning ad campaign released recently - looking for more space and business opportunities. And this is available everywhere, not only in the US: in Canada, France, Germany. Some of them are living together with other Israelis, some of them intermarry, celebrate Halloween, Xmas or other holidays. Their kids are doing the same, the language being sometimes their only - if any - connection with Judaism being. 

Nu...what's the problem?

Book Review: The Pages In Between

When I started reading this memoir, it was hard to stop me to run to the end. A memoir about Shoah and Poland, American Jews discovering their roots and old antinomies, what can this book bring new? This was the reason why I kept this book isolated on my shelf for a couple of months.

It was my mistake and only my mistake, because the book is good written, with a honest journalistic flavor. You are introduced into the story of all non-fictional the characters part of the sad history of our 20 century Europe with a lot of attention and ambiance details. While reading, I really felt like moving around Poland observing their newly discovered enthusiasm for the Jewish culture, entering the house of Erin's mother and trying to understand the reasons behind her mother's "savior". From various reasons, I also understood her mother's silences and Erin's regrets for not having her mother alongside during this fundamental journey. And I agree that in our quest for not forgetting the perpetrators, we don't have to forget the victims, their histories and sad days of not knowing their past or of trying to forget it.

A recommended reading for Shabbat and in a month where more than ever we are looking for more light in our life and words.